SOLDIER'S DEATH.
DROWNED NEAR RAKAIA.
POCKETS FILLED WITH STONES.
With the pockets of the clothes full of stones, and a kerosene tin filled with stones tied by a wire round the neck, the body of Thomas Arthur Hood, a returned soldier, aged 26 years, was found in an irrigation stream near Rakaia yesterday.
Hood, who was a single man and the elder son of Mr John Hood, railway ganger, of Edendale, Southland, was a corporal in the Otago Infantry Battalion, of the Main Body. He took part in the Gallipoli landing, and was later wounded in the shoulder, being invalided home about two years ago. Latterly he was working for his uncle, Mr Thomas Hood, Overdale, Rakaia. The deceased spent the night of Thursday, June 5, with Mr James Mead, of Rakaia. Shortly before noon next day he remarked that he was going for a walk, and set off across the paddocks. When he did not return, it was thought that Hood had probably gone on to his uncle's. His friends and relatives missed him from the Ashburton trots, for he was a keen follower of that sport; and when notes had been compared it was found that he had not been seen since June 6. The police were immediately notified, and a search commenced on Saturday. It was continued yesterday, with the result that Messrs Butler, Behemes, and Banks found the body in the channel near Mr Colland's property, about two miles from Rakaia. The deceased's watch, some small change, and a note for his people, were found on the bank. The water at the spot was about 4 feet deep.
INQUEST OPENED. Before Mr J. Cow, Acting-Coroner, at Bakaia to-day, the inquest on the circumstances of Thomas Arthur Hood's death was opened. Formal evidence of identification was taken, and the inquest adjourned until Friday morning to allow of further inquiries being made. -Sun, 16/6/1919.
THE Funeral of the late Thomas Arthur Hood will leave the residence of his uncle Arthur Meade, Rakaia, on Wednesday June 18th, at 2. p.m., for the Rakaia Public Cemetery. CHAS. SHANNON. -Lyttelton Times, 17/6/1919.
The adjourned inquest concerning the death of Arthur Thomas Hood, a returned soldier, who was found drowned in the Rakaia River on Sunday last, and who had been missing for some days previously, was held at Rakaia to-day. The District Coroner (Sir James Cow) returned a verdict "That deceased committed suicide by drowning while in a state of temporary insanity, brought about by excessive drinking." Mr Cow also expressed strong disapproval at the manner in which the deceased was allowed to wander away, and that no inquiry was made regarding his whereabouts by relations with whom he was staying, and who should have known the state in which he was. It is understood that police proceedings will arise out of evidence given at the inquiry. -Ashburton Guardian, 20/6/1919.
LICENSEE CHARGED
RAKAIA TRAGEDY RECALLED
About June 5 last a returned soldier named Thomas Arthur Hood disappeared from Rakaia, and his body was subsequently found in the Rakaia Riverbed. As a result of evidence at the inquest, and a statement made to the police by William Cranstoun, Edendake, an information was laid against Peter Galligan, hotelkeeper, Rakaia, with supplying liquor to Thomas Arthur Hood on May 31, while the latter was in a state of intoxication;
The case was heard at Rakaia Court yesterday before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M. Senior-Sergeant Ryan prosecuted, and Mr Cassidy appeared for defendant.
Evidence was given for the prosecution by William Cranstoun, Richard Toppin, and Constable McLellon.
The Magistrate stated that he was not satisfied with the way Cranstoun had given his evidence, which did not agree with the statement he had previously made to the police when he stated that Hood was intoxicated, and had had several drinks in his company. In his evidence he denied all knowledge of this, and stated that he could see the men had a few drinks. As there was not sufficient evidence to convict, the Magistrate dismissed the information, and refused to allow expenses to Cranstoun for atttending the Court. Peter Galligan was then charged with a breach of the War Regulations Anti-Treating Act arising out of the above case, and was convicted and fined 20s with costs.
A similar charge was laid against William Cranstoun and Richard Toppin.
Mr Cassidy, who appeared for defendants, raised the point that they were boarders, and the Act did not apply to them. The Magistrate stated that it had been shown in evidence that they had had the drinks in the tap room, and that this was a bar within the meaning of the Act. The defendants would be convicted and discharged. -Ashburton Guardian, 5/9/1919.
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